Teen arrested in fatal Linda Vista stabbing

A man, who police were talking to, buries his face in his hands while leaning on the back of a police car near the area where a man was stabbed in a gang-related confrontation on a playing field at the Linda Vista Recreation Center in San Diego on Thursday.
Hayne Palmour IV

A man, who police were talking to, buries his face in his hands while leaning on the back of a police car near the area where a man was stabbed in a gang-related confrontation on a playing field at the Linda Vista Recreation Center in San Diego on Thursday.

The 19-year-old victim died in a hospital early Wednesday morning, homicide Lt. Ernie Herbert said. Richard “Richi” Knight had been on life support since the Thursday afternoon attack.

The teenage suspect was taken into custody on Rainier Avenue near Mission Gorge Road about 8:40 p.m., Herbert said. He said the teen was later booked into Juvenile Hall on a murder charge.

Knight was stabbed about 4 p.m. at the Linda Vista Recreation Center. Officers were called to the park after reports that a large group of people were fighting.

When they arrived, they found Knight collapsed on the ground and suffering from a stab wound to the chest, police said.

Investigators said the people involved in the altercation were in two rival gangs. They do not know what led to the fight.

Knight graduated from Kearny High School last year and was a standout basketball player, according to friends. He had been rehearsing at the recreation center for the annual Linda Vista Multicultural Fair, said dance instructor Sukari Appling.

Appling told U-T San Diego that Knight had a contagious smile and was an inspiration to other performers.